XLIV
　　"Whatisit，Jeff？"askedCynthia，thenextnight，astheystartedouttogetheraftersupper，andbegantostrolldownthehilltowardherfather’shouse。Itlaylookingverylittleandlowinthenookatthefootofthelane，onthevergeofthewoodsthatdarkenedawaytothenorthwardfromit，undertheglassynightsky，litwiththespareyoungmoon。Thepeepingofthefrogsinthemarshyplacesfilledtheair；thehoarsevoiceofthebrookmadeitselfheardatintervalsthroughthem。
　　"It’snotsowarmhere，quite，asitisinBoston，"hereturned。"Areyouwrappedupenough？Thisairhasanedgetoit。"
　　"I’mallright，"saidthegirl。"Whatisit？"
　　"Youthinkthere’ssomething？Youdon’tbelieveI’vecomeupforrestoverSunday？Iguessmotherherselfdidn’t，andIcouldseeyourfatherfollowingupmylittleliesasifhewa’n’tgoingtoletoneescapehim。
　　Well，you’reright。Thereissomething。Thinkoftheworstthingyoucan，Cynthy！"
　　Shepulledherhandoutofhisarm，whichshehadtaken，andhaltedhimbyherabruptpause。"You’renotgoingtogetthrough！"
　　"I’mallrightonmyconditions，"saidJeff，withforlornderision。
　　"You’llhavetoguessagain。"Hestoodlookingbackoverhisshoulderatherface，whichshowedwhiteinthemoonlight，swathedairilyroundintheold—fashionedsoftwoollencloudshewore。
　　"Isitsometroubleyou’vegotinto？Ishallstandbyyou！"
　　"Oh，yousplendidgirl！Thetrouble’sover，butit’ssomethingyoucan’tstandbymein，Iguess。YouknowthatgirlIwrotetoyouabout——theoneImetatthecollegetea，and——"
　　"Yes！MissLynde！"
　　"Comeon！Wecan’tstayheretalking。Let’sgodownandsitonyourporch。"Shemechanicallyobeyedhim，andtheystartedontogetherdownthehillagain；butshedidnotoffertotakehisarm，andhekeptthewidthoftheroadwayfromher。
　　"Whatabouther？"shequietlyasked。
　　"LastnightIendeduptheflirtationI’vebeencarryingonwithhereversince。"
　　"Iwanttoknowjustwhatyoumean，Jeff。"
　　"ImeanthatlastweekIgotengagedtoher，andlastnightIbrokewithher。"Cynthiaseemedtostumbleonsomething；hesprangoverandcaught。
　　her，andnowsheputherhandinhisarm，andstayedherselfbyhimastheywalked。
　　"Goon，"shesaid。
　　"That’sallthereisofit。"
　　"No！"Shestopped，andthensheasked，withakindofgentlebewilderment："Whatdidyouwanttotellmefor？"
　　"Toletyoubreakwithme——ifyouwantedto。"
　　"Don’tyoucareformeanymore？"
　　"Yes，morethaneverIdid。ButI’mnotfitforyou，Cynthia。Mr。
　　WestoversaidIwasn’t。Itoldhimaboutit——"
　　"Whatdidhesay？"
　　"ThatIoughttobreakwithyou。"
　　"Butifyoubrokewithher？"
　　"Hetoldmetosticktoher。Hewasrightaboutyou，Cynthy。I’mnotfitforyou，andthat’safact。"
　　"Whatwasitaboutthatgirl？Tellmeeverything。"Shespokeinatoneofplaintiveentreaty，veryunlikethecommandsheonceusedwithJeffwhenshewasurginghimtobefrankwithherandtruetohimself。Theyhadcometoherfather’shouseandshefreedherhandfromhisarmagain，andsatdownonthestepbeforethesidedoorwithalittlesighasoffatigue。
　　"You’lltakecold，"saidJeff，whoremainedonfootinfrontofher。
　　"No，"shesaid，briefly。"Goon。"
　　"Why，"Jeffbegan，harshly，andwithanoteofscornforhimselfandhisthemeinhisvoice，"thereisn’tanymoreofit，butthere’snoendtoher。IpromisedMr。WestoverIshouldn’twhitewashmyself，andI
　　sha’n’t。I’vebeenbehavingbadly，andit’snoexcuseformebecauseshewantedmeto。IbegantogoforherassoonasIsawthatshewantedmeto，andthatshelikedtheexcitement。Theexcitementisallthatshecaredfor；shedidn’tcareformeexceptfortheexcitementofit。Shethoughtshecouldhavefunwithme，andthenthrowmeover；butIguessshefoundhermatch。Youcouldn’tunderstandsuchagirl，andIdon’tbragofit。Allshecaredforwastoflirtwithme，andshelikeditallthemorebecauseIwasajayandshecouldgetsomethingnewoutofit。
　　Ican’texplainit；butIcouldseeitrightalong。Shefooledherselfmorethanshefooledme。"
　　"Wasshe——verygood—looking？"Cynthiaasked，listlessly。
　　"No！"shoutedJeff。"Shewasn’tgood—lookingatall。Shewasdarkandthin，andshehadlittleslantingeyes；butshewasgraceful，andsheknewhowtomakeherselfgofurtherthananygirlIeversaw。Ifshecameintoaroom，shemadeyoulookather，oryouhadtosomehow。Shewasbright，too；andshehadmoresensethanalltheothergirlsthereputtogether。Butshewasafool，allthesame。"Jeffpaused。"Isthatenough？"
　　"Itisn’tall。"
　　"No，itisn’tall。Wedidn’tmeetmuchatfirst，butIgottowalkinghomewithherfromsometeas；andthenwemetatabigball。Idancedwithherthewholewhilenearly，and——andItookherbrotherhome——Pshaw！
　　Hewasdrunk；andI——well，hehadgotdrunkdrinkingwithmeattheball。
　　Thewinedidn’ttouchme，butitturnedhishead；andItookhimhome；
　　he’sadrunkard，anyway。Sheletusinwhenwegottotheirhouse，andthatkindofmadeatiebetweenus。Shepretendedtothinkshewasunderobligationstome，andsoIgottogoingtoherhouse。"
　　"Didsheknowhowherbrothergotdrunk？"
　　"Shedoesnow。Itoldherlastnight。"Howcameyoutotellher？"
　　"Iwantedtobreakwithher。Iwantedtostopit，onceforall，andI
　　thoughtthatwoulddoit，ifanythingwould。"
　　"Didthatmakeherwillingtogiveyouup？"
　　Jeffcheckedhimselfinasortofretrospectivelaugh。"I’mnotsosure。
　　Iguessshelikedtheexcitementofthat，too。Youcouldn’tunderstandthekindofgirlshe——ShewantedtoflirtwithmethatnightIbroughthimhometipsy。"
　　"Idon’tcaretohearanymoreabouther。Whydidyougiveherup？"
　　"BecauseIdidn’tcareforher，andIdidcareforyou，Cynthy。"
　　"Idon’tbelieveit。"Cynthiarosefromthestep，whereshehadbeensitting，asifwithrenewedstrength。"Goupandtellfathertocomedownhere。Iwanttoseehim。"Sheturnedandputherhandonthelatchofthedoor。
　　"You’renotgoinginthere，Cynthia，"saidJeff。"Itmustbelikedeathinthere。"
　　"It’smorelikedeathouthere。Butifit’sthecoldyoumean，youneedn’tbetroubled。We’vehadafireto—day，airingoutthehouse。
　　Willyougo？"
　　"Butwhatdoyou——whatareyougoingtosaytome？"
　　"Idon’tknow，yet。IfIsaidanythingnow，IshouldtellyouwhatMr。
　　Westoverdid：gobacktothatgirl，ifshe’llletyou。You’refitforeachother，ashesaid。Didyoutellherthatyouwereengagedtosomeoneelse？"
　　"Idid，lastnight。"
　　"Butbeforethatshedidn’tknowhowfalseyouwere。Well，you’renotfitforher，then；you’renotgoodenough。"
　　Sheopenedthedoorandwentin，closingitafterher。Jeffturnedandwalkedslowlyaway；thenhecamequicklyback，asifheweregoingtofollowherwithin。Butthroughthewindowhesawherasshestoodbythetablewithalampinherhand。Shehadturnedupthelight，whichshonefullinherfaceandrevealeditsseverebeautybrokenandwrithenwiththeefforttorepressherweeping。Hemightnothavemindedtheseverityorthebeauty，butthepathoswasmorethanhecouldstand。"Oh，Lord！"
　　hesaid，withashrug，andheturnedagainandwalkedslowlyupthehill。
　　WhenWhitwellfacedhisdaughterinthelittlesitting—room，whoselowceilinghishatalmosttouchedashestoodbeforeher，thestormhadpassedwithher，andhertear—drenchedvisageworeitswontedlookofstillpatience。
　　"DidJefftellyouwhyIsentforyou，father？"
　　"No。ButIknewitwastrouble，"saidWhitwell，withadignitywhich—
　　hissympathyforhergaveacountenancebetteradaptedtotheexpressionofthelighteremotions。
　　"Iguessyouwererightabouthim，"sheresumed：ShewentontotellinbriefthestorythatJeffhadtoldher。Herfatherdidnotinterrupther，butattheendhesaid，inadequately："He’sacomicaldevil。Iknewabouthisgittin’thatfellerdrunk。Mr。Westovertoldmewhenhewasuphere。"
　　"Mr。Westoverdid！"saidCynthia，inanoteofindignation。
　　"Hedidn’tofferto，"Whitwellexplained。"Igotitoutofhiminspiteofhim，Iguess。"Hehadsatdownwithhishaton，ashisabsent—mindedhabitwas，andhenowbracedhiskneesagainsttheedgeofthetable。
　　Cynthiasatacrossitfromhimwithherheaddroopedoverit，drawingvaguefiguresontheboardwithherfinger。"Whatareyougoin’todo？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"sheanswered。
　　"Iguessyoudon’tquiterealizeityet，"herfathersuggested，tenderly。
　　"Well，Idon’twanttohurryyouany。Takeyourtime。"
　　"IguessIrealizeit，"saidthegirl。
　　"Well，it’sapoottyplaincase，that’safact，"Whitwellconceded。Shewassilent，andheasked："Howdidhecometotellyou？"
　　"It’swhathecameupfor。Hebegantotellmeatonce。Iwascertaintherewassometrouble。"
　　"Wasithisnotiontocome，Iwonder，orMr。Westover’s？"
　　"Itwashis。ButMr。Westovertoldhimtobreakoffwithme，andkeeponwithher，ifshewouldlethim。"
　　"Iguessthatwaspoottygoodadvice，"saidWhitwell，lettinghisfacebetrayhishumorousrelishofit。"Iguessthere’sapairof’em。"
　　"Shewasnotplayinganyoneelsefalse，"saidCynthia，bitterly。
　　"Well，Iguessthat’sso，too，"herfatherassented。"’Ta’n’tsomuchofamuchnessasyoumightthink，inthatlight。"Hetookrefugefromthesubjectinanundirectedwhistle。
　　Afteramomentthegirlasked，forlornly："Whatshouldyoudo，father，ifyouwereinmyplace？"
　　"Well，thereIguessyougotme，Cynthy，"saidherfather。"Idon’tbelieve’tanyman，Idon’tcarehowoldheis，orhowmuchexperiencehe’shad，knowsexactlyhowagirlfeelsaboutathinglikethis，orhasgotanycalltoadviseher。Ofcourse，thewayIfeelisliketakin’thetopofhisheadoff。ButId’know，"headded，"asthatwoulddoagreatdealofgood，either。Ipresumeawoman’sgotratherofachoretogetalongwithaman，anyway。Wea’n’tanyofusmuchtobragon。It’souto’sight，outo’mind，withthebestofus，Iguess。"
　　"Itwouldn’tbewithJackson——itwouldn’tbewithMr。Westover。"
　　"Therea’n’tmanymenlikeMr。Westover——well，notagreatmany；orJackson，either。Time！IwishJacksonwashome！He’dknowhowtostraightenthisthingout，andhewouldn’tweakenoverJeffmuch——well，notmuch。Buthea’n’there，andyou’vegottoactforyourself。ThewayIlookatitisthis：youtookJeffwhenyouknowedwhatacomicaldevilhewas，andIpresumeyouha’n’tgotquitethesamerighttobedisappointedinwhathedoneasifyouhadn’tknowed。Nowmind，Ia’n’texcusin’him。Butifyouknowedhewasthefellertoplaythedevilifhegotachance，thequestioniswhether——whether——"
　　"Iknowwhatyoumean，father，"saidthegirl，"andIdon’twanttoshirkmyresponsibility。Itwaseverythingtohavehimcomerightupandtellme。"
　　"Well，"saidWhitwell，impartially，"asfarforthasthatgoes，Idon’tthinkhe’sstrainedhimself。He’dknowyouwouldhearofitsoonerorlateranyway，andheha’n’tjustfoundoutthathewasgoin’wrong。
　　Beenkeepin’itupforthelastthreemonths，andwritin’youallthewhilethemlettersyouwassocrazytoget。"
　　"Yes，"sighedthegirl。"Butwe’vegottobejusttohisdispositionaswellashisactions。Icanseeitinonelightthatcanexcuseitsome。
　　Hecan’tbeartobeputdown，andIknowhe’sbeenleftoutagooddealamongthestudents，andit’smadehimbitter。Hetoldmeaboutit；
　　that’sonereasonwhyhewantedtoleaveHarvardthislastyear。Hesawotheryoungmenmademuchof，whenhedidn’tgetanynotice；andwhenhehadthechancetopaythembackwithagirloftheirownsetthatwastryingtomakeafoolofhim——"
　　"Thatwasthetimeforhimtorememberyou，"saidWhitwell。
　　Cynthiabrokeunderthedefenceshewastryingtomake。"Yes，"shesaid，withanindrawnsigh，andshebegantosobpiteously。
　　Thesightofhergriefseemedtokindleherfather’swrathtoaflame。
　　"Anywayyoulookathim，he’sbeenadumnblackguard；that’swhathe’sbeen。You’reamilliontimestoogoodforhim；andI——"
　　Shesobbedherselfquiet，andthenshesaid："Father，Idon’tliketogoupthereto—night。Iwanttostayhere。"
　　"Allright，Cynthia。I’llcomedownandstaywithyou。Yougoteverythingwewanthere？"
　　"Yes。AndI’llgoupandgetthebreakfastfortheminthemorning。
　　Therewon’tbemuchtodo。"
　　"Dumn’em！Let’emgettheirownbreakfast！"saidWhitwell，recklessly。
　　"And，father，"thegirlwentonasifhehadnotspoken，"don’tyoutalktoMrs。Durginaboutit，willyou？"
　　"No，no。Isha’n’tspeaktoher。I’lljusttellFrankyouandmearegoin’tostaydownhereto—night。She’llsuspicionsomething，butshecanfigureitoutforherself。OrshecanmakeJefftellher。Itcan’tbekeptfromher。"
　　"Well，lethimbetheonetotellher。Whateverhappens，Ishallneverspeakofittoasoulbesidesyou。"
　　Allright，Cynthy。You’llhavethenighttothinkitover——Iguessyouwon’tsleepmuch—andI’lltrustyoutodowhat’sthebestthingaboutit。"
　　XLV。
　　CynthiafoundMrs。Durginintheoldfarm—housekitchenatworkgettingbreakfastwhenshecameuptothehotelinthemorning。Shewasearly，buttheelderwomanhadbeenearlierstill，andherheavyfaceshowedmoreoftheircommonnight—longtroublethanthegirl’s。
　　Shedemanded，atsightofher，"What’sthematterwithyouandJeff，Cynthy？"
　　Cynthiawasunrollingthecloudfromherhair。Shesaid，asshetiedonherapron："Youmustgethimtotellyou，Mrs。Durgin。"
　　"Thenthereissomething？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"HasJeffbeenusingyouwrong？"
　　Cynthiastoopedtoopentheovendoor，andtoturnthepanofbiscuitshefoundinside。Sheshutthedoorsharplyto，andsaid，assherose：
　　"Idon’twanttotellanythingaboutit，andIsha’n’t，Mrs。Durgin。Hecandoit，ifhewantsto。ShallImakethecoffee？"
　　"Yes；youseemtomakeitbetterthanIdo。DoyouthinkIshouldn’tbelieveyouwasfairtohim？"
　　"Iwasn’tthinkingofthat。Butit’shissecret。Ifhewantstokeepit，hecankeepit，forallme。"
　　"Youha’n’tgiveeachotherup？"
　　"Idon’tknow。"Cynthiaturnedawaywithatremblingchin，andbegantobeatthecoffeeupwithaneggshehaddroppedintothepot。Sheputthebreakfastonthetablewhenitwasready，butshewouldnotsitdownwiththerest。Shesaidshedidnotwantanybreakfast，andshedrankacupofcoffeeinthekitchen。
　　ItfelltoJeffmainlytokeepthetalkgoing。HehadbeenoutatthebarnwithJombateestesincedaybreak，lookingafterthecattle，andthejoyoftheweatherhadgotintohisnervesandspirits。Atfirsthehadlainawakeafterhewenttobed，buthehadfallenasleepaboutmidnight，andgotagoodnight’srest。Helookedfreshandstrongandveryhandsome。Hetalkedresolutelytoeveryoneatthetable，butJombateestewasalwayspreoccupiedwitheatingathismeals，andFrankWhitwellhadonaSundaysilence，whichwasperhapsdeepenedbyafeelingthattherewassomethingwrongbetweenhissisterandJeff，anditwouldberashtocommithimselftoanopenfriendlinessuntilheunderstoodthecase。HisfathermetJeff’sadvanceswithphilosophicalblandnessandevasion，andMrs。DurginwasprovisionallydryandseverebothwiththeWhitwellsandherson。Afterbreakfastshewenttotheparlor，andJeffsetaboutatourofthehotel，insideandout。Helookedcarefullytothedetailsofitswinterkeeping。Thenhecamebackandboldlyjoinedhismotherwhereshesatbeforeherstove，whosesubduedheatshefoundpleasantinthelingeringcoldoftheearlyspring。
　　Hetossedhishatonthetablebesideher，andsatdownontheothersideofthestove。"Well，Imustsaytheplacehasbeenwelllookedafter。
　　Idon’tbelieveJacksonhimselfcouldhavekeptitinbettershape。Whenwasthelastyouheardfromhim？"
　　"Ihope，"saidhismother，gravely，"you’vebeenlookin’afteryourendatBoston，too。"
　　"Well，notaswellasyouhavehere，mother，"saidJeff，candidly。
　　"HasCynthytoldyou？"
　　"Iguesssheexpectedyoutotellme，iftherewasanything。"
　　"There’salot；butIguessIneedn’tgooveritall。I’vebeenplayingthedevil。"
　　"Jeff！"
　　"Yes，Ihave。I’vebeengoingwithanothergirldownthere，onethekindyouwantedmetomakeupto，andIwentsofarI——well，Imadelovetoher；andthenIthoughtitover，andfoundoutIdidn’treallycareforher，andIhadtotellherso，andthenIcameuptotellCynthy。That’saboutthesizeofit。Whatdoyouthinkofit？"
　　"D’youtellCynthy？"
　　"Yes，Itoldher。"
　　"What’dshesay？"
　　"ShesaidI’dbettergobacktotheothergirl。"Jefflaughedhardily，buthismotherremainedimpassive。
　　"Iguessshe’sright；Iguessyouhad。"
　　"Thatseemstobethegeneralopinion。That’swhatMr。Westoveradvised。
　　Iseemtobetheonlyoneagainstit。IsupposeyoumeanthatI’mnotfitforCynthy。Idon’tdenyit。AllIsayisIwanther，andIdon’twanttheotherone。Whatareyougoingtodoinacaselikethat？"
　　"ThewayIshouldlookatit，"saidhismother，"isthis：whateveryouare，Cynthymadeyou。Youwasalazy，disobedient，worthlessboy，anditwashercarin’foryoufromthefirstthatputanyspiritandanyprincipleintoyou。Itwasherthathelpedyouatschoolwhenyouwaslittlethingstogether；andshehelpedyouattheacademy，andshe’shelpedyouatcollege。I’llbetshecouldtakeadegree，orwhateveritis，atHarvardbetterthanyoucouldnow；andifyoueverdotakeadegree，you’vegothertothankforit。"
　　"That’sso，"saidJeff。"Andwhat’sthereasonyoudidn’twantmetomarryherwhenIcameinherelastsummerandtoldyouI’daskedherto？"
　　"Youknowwellenoughwhatthereasonwas。Itwaspartofthesamethingasmywantin’youtobealawyer；butImightknowedthatifyoudidn’thaveCynthytogointocourtwithyou，andputthewordsintoyourmouth，youwouldn’tmakeaspeechthatwould"——Mrs。Durginpausedforafittingfigure——"saveafleafromthegallows。"
　　Jeffburstintoalaugh。"Well，Iguessthat’sso，mother。AndnowyouwantmetothrowawaytheonlychanceI’vegotoflearninghowtorunLion’sHeadintherightwaybybreakingwithCynthy。"
　　"NobodywantsyoutorunLion’sHeadforawhileyet，"hismotherreturned，scornfully。"JacksonisgoingtorunLion’sHead。He’llbehometheendofJune，andI’llrunLion’sHeadtillhegetshere。Youtalk，"shewenton，"asifitwasinyourhandstobreakwithCynthy，orthrowawaythechancewithher。ThewayIlookatit，she’sbrokewithyou，andyouha’n’tgotanychancewithher。Oh，Jeff，"shesuddenlyappealedtohim，"tellmeallaboutit！Whathaveyoubeenupto？
　　IfIunderstooditonce，IknowIcanmakeherseeitintherightlight。"
　　"Thebetteryouunderstandit，mother，thelessyou’lllikeit；andI
　　guessCynthyseesitintherightlightalready。Whatdidshesay？"
　　"Nothing。Shesaidshe’dleaveittoyou。"
　　"Well，that’slikeCynthy。I’lltellyou，then，"saidJeff；andhetoldhismotherhiswholeaffairwithBessieLynde。Hehadtobeveryelemental，andhewasaware，ashehadneverbeenbefore，ofthedifferencebetweenBessie’sworldandhismother’sworld，intryingtomakeBessie’sworldconceivabletoher。
　　Hewaspatientingoingovereveryobscurepoint，andillustratingfromthecharactersandconditionofdifferentsummerfolksthefactsofBessie’sentourage。Itisdoubtful，however，ifhesucceededinconveyingtohismotheraclearandjustnotionofthepurelychicnatureofthegirl。Intheendsheseemedtoconceiveofhersimplyasahussy，andsopronouncedher，withoutlimitorqualification，inspiteofJeff’slaughingattempttopalliateherbehavior，andtoinculpatehimself。
　　Shesaidshedidnotseewhathehaddonethatwassomuchoutoftheway。Thatthinghadledhimonfromthebeginning；shehadmerelygothercome—uppings，whenallwassaid。Mrs。DurginbelievedCynthiawouldlookatitasshedid，ifshecouldhaveitputbeforeherrightly。Jeffshookhisheadwithpersistentmisgiving。HisnotionwasthatCynthiasawtheaffaironlytooclearly，andthattherewasnonewlighttobethrownonitfromherpointofview。Mrs。Durginwouldnotallowthis；
　　shewassurethatshecouldbringCynthiaround；andsheaskedJeffwhetheritwashisgettingthatfellowdrunkthatsheseemedtoblamehimforthemost。Heansweredthathethoughtthatwasprettybad，buthedidnotbelievethatwastheworstthinginCynthia’seyes。Hedidnotforbidhismother’stryingtodowhatshecouldwithher，andhewentawayforawalk，andleftthehousetothetwowomen。Jombateestewasinthebarn，whichhepreferredtothehouse，andFrankWhitwellhadgonetochurchoverattheHuddle。AsJeffpassedWhitwell’scottageinsettingoutonhisstrollhesawthephilosopherthroughthewindow，seatedwithhislegsonthetable，hishatpushedback，andhisspectaclesfallentothepointofhisnose，reading，andmovinghislipsasheread。
　　Theforenoonsunwassoft，buttheairwascool。
　　Therewasstillplentyofsnowontheupperslopesofthehills，andtherewasadrifthereandthereinacornerofpasturewallinthevalley；butthespringtimegreenwasbeginningtohoveroverthewetplacesinthefields；thecatkinssilveredthegoldentraceryofthewillowbranchesbythebrook；therewasabuzzofbeesaboutthem，andaboutthemaples，blackenedbytheearlierflowofsapthroughtheholesinthebarkmadebythewoodpeckers’bills。Nowandthenthetremoloofabluebirdshookinthetenderlightandthekeenair。Atonepointintheroadwherethesunfelluponsomeyoungpinesinashelteredspotabalsamicodorexhaledfromthem。
　　ThesegentlesightsandsoundsandodorsblendedintheinfluencewhichJeff’sspiritfeltmoreandmore。Herealizedthathewasablotonthelovelinessofthemorning。Hehadalongingtomakeatonementandtowinforgiveness。HisheartwashumbledtowardCynthia，andhewentwonderinghowhismotherwouldmakeitoutwithher，andhow，ifshewonhimanyadvantage，heshouldavailhimselfofitandregainthegirl’strust；
　　hehadnodoubtofherlove。Heperceivedthattherewasnothingforhimhereafterbutthemostperfectconstancyofthoughtanddeed，andhedesirednothingbetter。
　　AtaturnofhisroadwhereitbranchedtowardtheHuddleagroupofyounggirlsstoodjokingandlaughing；beforeJeffcameupwiththemtheyseparated，andallbutonecontinuedonthewaybeyondtheturning。ShecametowardJeff，whogaylyrecognizedherasshedrewnear。
　　Sheblushedandbridledathisbowandathisbeautyandsplendor，andinherembarrassmentpertlysaidthatshedidnotsupposehewouldhaverememberedher。Shewasveryyoung，butatfifteenacountrygirlisnotsoyoungashertownsisterateighteeninthewaysoftheothersex。
　　Jeffansweredthatheshouldhaveknownheranywhere，inspiteofherlookingsomucholderthanshedidinthesummerwhenshehadcomewithberriestothehotel。Hesaidshemustbefeelingherselfquiteayoungladynow，inherlongdresses，andhepraisedthedresswhichshehadon。
　　Hesaiditbecameherstyle；andhefoundsuchrelieffromhisheavythoughtsintheseharmlesspleasantriesthathekeptonwiththem。Hehadinvoluntarilyturnedwithhertowalkbacktoherhouseonthewayhehadcome，andheaskedherifhemightnotcarryhercatkinsforher。
　　Shehadasheafoftheminthehollowofherslenderarm，whichseemedtohimverypretty，andafteralittlestrugglesheyieldedthemtohim。
　　Thestrugglegavehimstillgreaterrelieffromhisself—reproach，andathergatehebeggedhertolethimkeeponeswitchofthepussywillows，andhestoodamomentwonderingwhetherhemightnotaskherforsomethingelse。Shechoseonefromthebundle，anddrewitlightlyacrosshisfacebeforesheputitinhishand。"YoumayhavethisforCynthy，"shesaid，andsheranlaughinglyupthepathwaytoherdoor。
　　XLVI
　　Cynthiadidnotappearatdinner，andJeffaskedhismotherwhenhesawheraloneifshehadspokentothegirl。"Yes，butshesaidshedidnotwanttotalkyet。"
　　"Allright，"hereturned。"I’mgoingtotakeanap；IbelieveIfeelasifIhadn’tsleptforamonth。"
　　Hesleptthegreaterpartoftheafternoon，andcamedownratherdulltotheearlytea。Cynthiawasabsentagain，andhismotherwassilentandworeatroubledlook。Whitwellwasfullofanovelconceptionoftheagencyofhypnotismininterpretingthelifeofthesoulasitisintimatedindreams。Hehadbeenreadingabookthataffirmedtheconsubstantialityofthesleep—dreamandthehypnoticillusion。HewantedtoknowifJeff，downatBoston，hadseenanythingofthehypnoticdoingsthatwouldthrowlightonthistheory。